Petal & Pip – is it real?

Goodness me. Where do I begin…? How can I put into words, what sums up achieving a lifelong ambition? Well, I can but try… So settle down with a cuppa. I am going to give you quite the back story and history of how and why this moment means so much!

It doesn’t yet feel how I expected it to. There have been tears, and big emotional adrenaline filled highs – but, I sort of feel a bit like it is happening to someone else. Does that even make sense?

When I was little, I used to love craft – all sorts of craft. Drawing, paint, glitter, beads, even needle punching, felting, handmade paper making… jewellery, flower pressing, marbling. I list these things all off the top of my head! Whatever was crafty, I wanted dibs in.

I chose Art for my GCSE, and I remember for my final project painting a watercolour picture of a lady, with a huuuuge hat on – covered in flowers. At A-Level, I instinctively chose Art and Design, but – I did not do so well with the ‘Art’ side of things, I didn’t fit well with the curriculum. I remember crying in the tutor’s office – as I so desperately wanted to do ‘well’, he could could see that despite getting poor grades in oddly my favourite class, I had that creativity in my soul – but, I just couldn’t do ‘painting’, exactly as they asked. Eventually, he relented – and investigated with the examining board whether I could change discipline to ‘Textiles’ instead of classic ‘Art’ – yet still be accredited to an A-Level in Art and Design. They agreed. So, I was the only person in my college, to then be following an entirely new pathway. And, I loved it. My grades improved (in fact I finally got an A!) my passion soared – and at that moment, all I wanted to do was ‘design fabrics’!

Saying that, I also LOVED Theatre Studies – that was my real unrelenting passion. I ‘always’ wanted to be an actooor darling… forever singing and dancing and acting in a Youth theatre every weekend. I had already applied, and so desperately wanted to study Musical Theatre at Northumberland University. That was the plan.

Until, I changed the plan. My passion for textiles was growing. I wasn’t sure I did want to be an actress. I wanted to do something practical, learn the science of how textiles are MADE, how are they are created and printed.

I withdrew my Northumberland University application, and… this had such a ripple effect. My parents, with my plan of Northumberland- were moving to Scotland! However – everything had to go on hold. They were super supportive though and just knew they would have to wait.

I went on to study a BTEC Foundation in Art and Design, generally a pre-requisite for all ‘creative’ degrees. If you aren’t aware of how the BTEC works – you do a whole year class, where you get to experience all sorts of different ‘types’ of creativity. (It was wonderful!) Then, you specialise… And obviously, despite loving experiencing all of the options, I of course chose: Textiles.

(As a complete aside, my parents went on holiday to the Isle of Wight for a break that year, and that is now where they live… a bit of a difference to Scotland! Funny how things work out.)

So, anyway – I knew I wanted to study textiles now at University, but I didn’t know WHERE. To study, to LIVE. We had literally around 100 prospectus’ on our dining room table… My poor Dad drove us all over the UK to visit countless open days (those where the days) it was fun in some ways, but so much effort – for no result. I didn’t have that ‘feeling’ anywhere. I felt a bit lost. We had planned yet another visit, this time in the Midlands – and I remember my tutor at art college saying – whilst you are that way, you should visit Loughborough.

Loughborough? Wasn’t that a Sport and Engineering Uni?

Anyway, the rest is history… That University was immediately ‘home’. A HUGE (and widely renowned, no idea why I did not know of it at the time!) Art and Design department – and importantly, an amazing textiles degree.

I applied, and we waited. There was a ‘serious’ portfolio interview. There were far more people applying that the spaces free – but, I desperately hoped.

Every day, I waited and pretty much stalked the postman… not an email to ping into my inbox, not a phone call or special app to check. Actual post!

I can still remember the envelope dropping through the door mat. I can still ‘see’ it arrive.. I can remember it being a ‘weighty’ envelope – and I hoped then, it wouldn’t be a ‘no’. I opened it, and, I was right. I cried, so many happy tears – I was to study Printed Textile Design and my goodness, I could not WAIT!

And, what a decision – it has led to ultimately my crafty business, life long friends, ‘extended family’ and my Husband. My Lad. Our children. It was worth the changes, worth indecision, worth the wait.

SO, life back story done. Sort of.

When I left Uni, I then had no idea what I wanted to do – I actually did NOT want to go into ‘design’. I wanted to something more ‘analytical’ and perhaps more ‘office’ focused. I am not going to then go through aaallll my career ups, downs, and in-betweens – my goodness there have been a few! But ultimately, when I quit my ‘corporate office’ role 9-5 in 2015 to follow my crafty business dreams… I am not sure I could have imagined where things have gone! So many amazing collaborations, experiences, people to have met and worked with. And now, I mean, MY OWN ‘The Crafty Lass’ FABRIC COLLECTION. ME?

Writing it, makes it feel slightly more real.

I started working with Craft Cotton Co firstly as a customer. I wanted to stock the studio with lovely fabrics for sewing classes… and on that very first meeting I remember saying to our lovely sales guy – about design. And he said ‘maybe one day your name could be on the selvedge?’ It planted a seed.

Seeing all the the fabric in the shops, is bizarre. Seeing all the designs on the TV, ME on the TV…

So… when will it feel really, really real? I think people MAKING with it maybe? I have started to have little teasers here and there, people saying they are going to make a quilt… someone very kindly making me a ‘celebration bear’ out of the fabrics! WOW! People buying it, it selling out in certain designs in certain shops. Now that is crazy.

Well, whether it feels real – or not, it is happening! And, very excitedly – my second collection ‘Wild Dreams’ is now out for pre-order too! In some ways THAT makes it feel real. This is all happening again… and I tell you – I am so grateful!

Have you seen Petal & Pip in stores? Have you bought it? I would love to know and see. Let me know over on social media and tag me in your makes!